Irony is the last hurdle
June 29th 2008 06:13
Alanis Morissette made us all think of fate and irony when she had worldwide success with the song, (isn't it) Ironic.
(photo: Getty Images)
It is ironic that the very measures instigated to save jumps racing may be the very measures that will soon bring about its passing.
In much earlier postings I have posed the question as to whether there are more jumps racing falls, and resulting deaths, than previously. On Grand National Hurdle Day I had hoped that the day would unfold with no casualties (horse or rider) or deaths. But that in itself denotes part of the problem with jumps racing: I watch the races hoping and always fearful of accident. When watching flat racing I am only looking at positioning of the horses and noting luck (both good and bad) in running. I don't expect a casualty at the races. But come jumps season...well...
This year the emergence of Toulouse Lautrec and speedy first season hurdlers has caught the imagination of press and public. Jumps racing may have entered a resurgence of popularity. But it has not. And it will not.
The small modular hurdles and steeples that were introduced to reduce falls - and silence critics - have moved from being saviours of the sport, to executioners. Quite literally. The horses have little regard for the fences and brush through them without wishing to break stride. No longer do they approach a fence - steady and focus - and leap and recover stride. It is obvious now that to revert to the older style fences would be a wise, rather than retrograde step (leap or jump). But that will never happen. The horses race at helterskelter speeds, brushing through the bulk of the 'hurdle', only sometimes to strike the solid base section of the bottom at reckless speeds. The trainers are practically pleading for a return to the higher and more substantial hurdles and steeples. After spending so much time, money and effort on the new modular jumps, commonsense will not prevail. The request for bigger obstacles is counterintuitive, but would be the best option to save jumps racing. I think that now this is a debate with words and no compromise. Only conclusion.
These fences have encouraged faster horses, rather than better jumpers, to compete. Yesterday I predicted that a first-season jumper would win the Grand National Hurdle. Derringer was having only his second hurdle start. I thought one would win because they have more speed and force safer jumpers out of their rhythm and comfort zone. I did not wish to see the attrition that led to only four horses completing the distance. And the farce of runners being directed around the first jump in the final straight as Adrian Garraway lay motionless and attended by medical staff where he fell. Two horses would die. One in a fall, and the other tragically on the flat after appearing likely to win.
Once again I am given the statistics that the new modular fences have resulted in fewer falls and fatalities. Why then does it feel to be the opposite?
And the track was too firm. Much too hard for the concussion of jumping races. Speed and concussion no doubt bringing out the demise of Eveready who broke down on the flat after looking likely to win. Perhaps the physical climate, as well as emotional climate, will hasten the likely demise of jumps racing - much as the physical nature of changed weather will eventually bring about the demise of snowfields in Victoria. The Winter tracks are no longer guaranteed as slow to heavy through most of June and July (as once was the case).
Punters are reluctant to bet on jumping races. Similar to the reluctance one had on betting on standing-start races at the trots, when your money often stayed hopping in one spot and took little part in the race, leaving you to curse for three trotting minutes with a distaste and no satisfaction possible. Poorer.
I know the downside of the abolition of jumping races. Selling at mixed bloodstock sales we would be pleased to offer the slower geldings to the good care of a racing stable with a future racing over jumps. Without the interest of this sector, what then becomes of the slower horse? Fewer and fewer young (usually) female horse enthusiasts are available to provide a loving home. At every sale the 'dogger' sat waiting for the horse that failed to bring the minimum (his maximum for profit, of then) $200.
More horses die in paddock accidents and misadventure than those who will fall and die on a racetrack. But the reality of death under observation of camera amplifies all concerns. We really do need a thriving bottom tier of amateur racing to fill a void and accommodate less successful (unprofitable) horses. But I would believe that the days of jumping under a professional banner are limited. The end seems nigh.
Was Crisp a dream?
So I approach the Grand National Steeple and the appearance of Toulouse Lautrec with ambivalence. When he won last start I was so pleased that he jumped so much better than his first few attempts. But each obstacle becomes a wish that he leaps and survives.
I did want to talk about Pinnacles winning in Queensland, and the Winter Championship Series in Melbourne. But this time there is no excitement, only sour note.
Ironic?:
Fall in Grand National Hurdle
It is ironic that the very measures instigated to save jumps racing may be the very measures that will soon bring about its passing.
In much earlier postings I have posed the question as to whether there are more jumps racing falls, and resulting deaths, than previously. On Grand National Hurdle Day I had hoped that the day would unfold with no casualties (horse or rider) or deaths. But that in itself denotes part of the problem with jumps racing: I watch the races hoping and always fearful of accident. When watching flat racing I am only looking at positioning of the horses and noting luck (both good and bad) in running. I don't expect a casualty at the races. But come jumps season...well...
This year the emergence of Toulouse Lautrec and speedy first season hurdlers has caught the imagination of press and public. Jumps racing may have entered a resurgence of popularity. But it has not. And it will not.
The small modular hurdles and steeples that were introduced to reduce falls - and silence critics - have moved from being saviours of the sport, to executioners. Quite literally. The horses have little regard for the fences and brush through them without wishing to break stride. No longer do they approach a fence - steady and focus - and leap and recover stride. It is obvious now that to revert to the older style fences would be a wise, rather than retrograde step (leap or jump). But that will never happen. The horses race at helterskelter speeds, brushing through the bulk of the 'hurdle', only sometimes to strike the solid base section of the bottom at reckless speeds. The trainers are practically pleading for a return to the higher and more substantial hurdles and steeples. After spending so much time, money and effort on the new modular jumps, commonsense will not prevail. The request for bigger obstacles is counterintuitive, but would be the best option to save jumps racing. I think that now this is a debate with words and no compromise. Only conclusion.
These fences have encouraged faster horses, rather than better jumpers, to compete. Yesterday I predicted that a first-season jumper would win the Grand National Hurdle. Derringer was having only his second hurdle start. I thought one would win because they have more speed and force safer jumpers out of their rhythm and comfort zone. I did not wish to see the attrition that led to only four horses completing the distance. And the farce of runners being directed around the first jump in the final straight as Adrian Garraway lay motionless and attended by medical staff where he fell. Two horses would die. One in a fall, and the other tragically on the flat after appearing likely to win.
Once again I am given the statistics that the new modular fences have resulted in fewer falls and fatalities. Why then does it feel to be the opposite?
And the track was too firm. Much too hard for the concussion of jumping races. Speed and concussion no doubt bringing out the demise of Eveready who broke down on the flat after looking likely to win. Perhaps the physical climate, as well as emotional climate, will hasten the likely demise of jumps racing - much as the physical nature of changed weather will eventually bring about the demise of snowfields in Victoria. The Winter tracks are no longer guaranteed as slow to heavy through most of June and July (as once was the case).
Punters are reluctant to bet on jumping races. Similar to the reluctance one had on betting on standing-start races at the trots, when your money often stayed hopping in one spot and took little part in the race, leaving you to curse for three trotting minutes with a distaste and no satisfaction possible. Poorer.
I know the downside of the abolition of jumping races. Selling at mixed bloodstock sales we would be pleased to offer the slower geldings to the good care of a racing stable with a future racing over jumps. Without the interest of this sector, what then becomes of the slower horse? Fewer and fewer young (usually) female horse enthusiasts are available to provide a loving home. At every sale the 'dogger' sat waiting for the horse that failed to bring the minimum (his maximum for profit, of then) $200.
More horses die in paddock accidents and misadventure than those who will fall and die on a racetrack. But the reality of death under observation of camera amplifies all concerns. We really do need a thriving bottom tier of amateur racing to fill a void and accommodate less successful (unprofitable) horses. But I would believe that the days of jumping under a professional banner are limited. The end seems nigh.
Was Crisp a dream?
So I approach the Grand National Steeple and the appearance of Toulouse Lautrec with ambivalence. When he won last start I was so pleased that he jumped so much better than his first few attempts. But each obstacle becomes a wish that he leaps and survives.
I did want to talk about Pinnacles winning in Queensland, and the Winter Championship Series in Melbourne. But this time there is no excitement, only sour note.
Ironic?:
| 28 |
| Vote |
Shared on
Subscribe to this blog
